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Happy April,
We've had an indecisive start to our spring, but hopefully this weekend's snow will be the last of it for the season. We can only hope that the coming weeks will bring us much-needed spring temperatures and opportunities for lots of outdoor activities like walking and bicycling in preparation for May's Bike & Walk Month.
Here at SRPC staffers are busy preparing multiple requests for proposals, getting ready to attend a community engagement academy, and working on this year's update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
In this issue, you will find information about the annual B2B commuter challenge, upcoming grant opportunities, a congratulations and farewell to Executive Director Cynthia Copeland, planning events of interest, and community happenings.
Until next month,
Shayna Sylvia
Communications and Outreach Specialist
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Ready...set...commute smart!
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SRPC Team Captain Shayna Sylvia poses as Supra
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Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Supra, the smart-commuting superhero! Supra, the new mascot for commuteSMARTseacoast's commuter challenge, is here to remind seacoast commuters that the annual B2B competition is less than one month away.
Veteran challengers can login in using their credentials from last year and start planning an unbeatable strategy for how your team is going to attack this year's competition.
Are you new to the challenge? If your organization or company just joined the challenge, you can sign up for your company's team and make an account here. Not sure if your company has registered? View the list of enrolled companies here.
And for everyone else asking Wait, what is this whole challenge thing? The B2B Challenge is an annual competition that encourages all employers in Seacoast NH to compete for the honor of having the smartest, greenest commuting workforce.
There are great prizes, a trophy to display in your workplace, social media buzz, and the exhilarating thrill of victory! The competition is all about getting more people to use sustainable transportation like biking, riding the bus, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, or telecommuting. Skateboarding, riding a moped, and riding two on a motorcycle also count! Besides having the chance to win a number of prizes, EVERYONE WINS by saving money, reducing stress, and doing something good for the environment. The teamwork feels great, too!
Think your company may be interested? Contact communications and outreach specialist Shayna Sylvia at ssylvia@strafford.org, or at 603-994-3500. Learn more about commuteSMARTseacoast at
http://commutesmartseacoast.org/
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Grant corner
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Aquatic Resources Mitigation (ARM) Funding - Pre-proposals Due by April 30
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Aquatic Resources Mitigation (ARM) fund will accept pre-proposals for funding until Monday, April 30. The ARM fund presents an opportunity to achieve large-scale restoration and conservation goals through the implementation of more environmentally beneficial mitigation projects. These projects typically address the loss of function and values of aquatic resources.
As the NHDES application materials note, "Any of New Hampshire's communities wholly or partially located within the service areas are eligible to apply. Other eligible organizations include county governments, regional planning commissions, county conservation districts, watershed/river associations, state agencies, departments within the University of New Hampshire and other institutions of higher education, community public school districts, and nonprofit organizations."
Eligible projects, application materials, and additional information can be found under the "Forms/Applications" header on the
NHDES Wetland Mitigation Program web page.
Full applications are due Aug. 31.
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PLAN NH Municipal Technical Assistance Grant - Due by June 1
Plan NH is beginning the process for the 2018-2019 NH Municipal Technical Assistance Grant Program. This program, a collaboration between Plan NH and the NH Housing and Finance Authority, provides funding to assist communities in updating their zoning ordinances to support housing options for the diverse and changing needs of their residents.
Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 and require
a cash match of 25 percent. Grants may be used for planning consultants, including regional planning
commissions, to assist with the updating process.
A portion of each grant must be used for education and outreach.
Plan NH will hold an information session about the program at the Office of Strategic Initiatives Conference on Saturday, April 28. Applications for this grant round are due Friday, June 1. SRPC encourages interested communities in the region to contact James Burdin, regional economic development planner.
SRPC encourages interested communities in the region to contact James Burdin, regional economic
development planner.
SRPC offers services such as grant application assistance and has experience assisting communities with updates to their zoning ordinances. James can be reached at
jburdin@strafford.org or at (603) 994-3500.
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Recreational Trails Program - Due by June 22
Application materials for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) are now available. The RTP provides funding for public trail projects in New Hampshire in any amount between $8,000 and $80,000.
As explained on the NH State Parks website, eligible projects include the following:
* Maintenance and restoration of existing trails
* Purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment
* Construction of new trails
* Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkage
Non-profits, private groups, and government entities may apply. Applications are due Friday, June 22. The RTP will hold three public workshops to assist prospective applicants. View the dates online
here.
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SRPC fetes executive director Cynthia Copeland
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Executive Director Cynthia Copeland's last official day was Friday, Mar. 30. To send her off staff members, colleagues, and friends celebrated Cynthia at her retirement party on Thursday, Mar. 29. The event allowed friends of the Commission to thank Cynthia for her hard work and contributions over the past 19 years.
Special honors were shared as longtime Commission Secretary/Treasurer Thomas Crosby spoke to Cynthia's accomplishments, State Sen. David Watters read a letter from Gov. Chris Sununu, and Chris Scott read a letter from the office of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Cynthia followed up with a farewell speech focusing on the 10 best things about the Strafford region.
On April 1 Cynthia began serving as SRPC's interim executive director until a successor is hired.
We thank Cynthia for her dedication and hard work, and wish her the best in this exciting (and hopefully relaxing) new chapter!
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Planning, planning everywhere: events of interest
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Workshop: As Sea Level Rises, Groundwater Does Too - April 26
Join the Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW) on Thursday, Apr. 26 from 5:00 to 7:45 p.m. at the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center for a workshop on sea level and groundwater rise. The event will be hosted by local researchers and community representatives who will be discussing how coastal groundwater will rise with sea level, and the impacts to water quality, infrastructure, and ecosystem health.
Speakers include Jayne Knott and Dr. Jennifer Jacobs (UNH and the Infrastructure and Climate Network (ICNet)), Kyle Pimental (Strafford Regional Planning Commission), and Dale Pike (Newmarket Town Council).
The event is geared towards municipal staff, board and commission members, public works staff, emergency management personnel, coastal community members, consultants, engineers, the NH Coastal Risk and Hazards Commission, state representatives, and state agencies.
Learn more or register here. Light dinner will be provided from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
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Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) Planning and Zoning Conference - April 28
The Office of Strategic Initiatives will hold its annual spring Planning and Zoning Conference on Saturday, Apr. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Grappone Center in Concord. Session topics will include training for new members of local land use boards, information on meeting statewide economic goals, local agriculture, historic preservation planning, solar 101, and age-friendly planning. For a complete list of sessions, or to register for the conference, visit:
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2018 Multi-Family Housing Conference - May 18
The NH Housing and Finance Authority (NHHFA) will hold its 2018 Multi-Family Housing Conference on Friday, May 18, at the Portsmouth Harbor Events and Conference Center from 8 a.m. to noon.
The event will include a housing policy update, a keynote address on impact investing and housing finances, a panel discussion on the keynote topic, and a presentation on Vermont's Support and Services at Home (SASH) program.
Learn more, or register, here. |
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Northeastern
Transportation and Wildlife Conference - September 9-12
The 2018 Northeastern Transportation & Wildlife Conference will be held from September
9 to 12 at UMASS Amherst. The conference, co-hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game, will focus on "
Partnering for Resilient Infrastructure and Ecosystems
."
The conference is geared toward planners, engineers, natural resource specialists, and technical experts in transportation, wildlife, ecology, hydraulics, and hydrology, as well as toward regulators and policy makers from state and provincial governments in the Northeastern U.S. and southern Canada.
"Highlights of the event include keynote speakers, informative and relevant concurrent sessions, problem solving workshops, full afternoon field trip, and numerous opportunities for networking," says the event notice.
The conference schedule can be found here.
Presentation abstracts can be submitted up until noon on Monday, Apr. 23. Find more information here.
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Community happenings
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Spring Restaurant Week, Portsmouth and the Seacoast, April 5-14
The Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce's spring Restaurant Week is on now and runs until Saturday, Apr. 14. More than 40 local restaurants are participating. As the Chamber's website explains, "participating restaurants offer special three course prix fixe menus at two unbelievable prices: $16.95 for lunch or $29.95 for dinner per person."
Menus and more information can be found at:
Star Island Earth Day Lecture with Dudley Dudley, Discover Portsmouth center, April 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
In 1973, local activists successfully opposed Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis' plans to build the world's largest oil refinery on the shores of Great Bay and turn the Isle of Shoals into a superport. On Thursday, Apr. 19, local environmental Dudley W. Dudley, one of the leaders of that citizens' revolt, will talk about that important time and how preservation and caring for our coast are still important. Star Island will host Dudley's Earth Day lecture at the Discover Portsmouth Center. While the event will be free and open to the public, registration is required.
Learn more at:
International Sculpture Day, Flagg Hill Winery and Distillery, Apr. 28 from 3 to 7 p.m.
The Friends of Bedrock Gardens will hold the second annual International Sculpture Day event at Flagg Hill Winery on Saturday, Apr. 28. Admission is $10 for adults. The art tour will be the highlight of the event, which will also include light refreshments, a cash bar, and bluegrass music. Learn more at:
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Sincerely,
SRPC Staff
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